ABSTRACT
The Nasrid emirate of Granada was the last Islamic state in the Iberian Peninsula. Its chronological length, from the 13th century until the end of the 15th century, is extraordinary: 260 years. This ability to survive can be explained by the combination of various factors: the mountainous nature of the territory, a good network of castles and fortified cities, sea-exits and the vicinity to North Africa from where it could get help, diplomatic ability and also external causes, such as internal conflicts in Castile. The kingdom of Granada was eventually conquered by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492.
